Snow is falling across parts of the UK, with forecasters warning it could become much heavier this afternoon
The heaviest snow is expected in north Wales, north-west Shropshire, the Peak District and the south Pennines
Between 10 and 15cm of snow is forecast, with up to 25cm possible on higher ground
Dozens of schools have been closed in north Wales and northern England, forcing many parents to stay at home
But some in Flintshire, Wales, have vented their frustration because no snow has yet fallen
Snow and ice is also expected in central and northern England, as well as the north of Scotland and Northern Ireland
Forecasters have warned there could be travel disruption, a small chance of power cuts and some rural communities being cut off
For those of you about to head out on your morning commute, there could be difficult driving conditions on your journey.
Stopping distances are up to 10 times greater in snow and ice.
You should leave more space behind the car in front than you usually would and on motorways stay in the lane clearest of snow, ice and slush, and keep within existing tyre tracks if you can.
Image source, .
Matt Taylor
BBC Weather
Image source, .Here are the areas where Met Office warnings for rain, snow or ice have been issued for today. Some warnings have already come into force - others will do later in the day.
The main impact from heavy snowfall will be in areas covered by amber weather warnings in the image below.
It’s worth noting that some main roads, including the M62, A628, A57 and A5, cross these areas.
Check if there are any warnings in your area on the BBC Weather app and at BBC Weather.
Image source, .We reported earlier that many schools have shut in north Wales due to an amber warning for snow and ice issued for the area. Here's a bit more detail on that news, including closures in parts of England.
You can check the status of school closures in your area on your local county council website.
It's been a cold and early start to the day at the National Highways gritting station in Milnrow, Greater Manchester, the centre responsible for keeping the busy M62 motorway and its arterial routes clear.
With a yellow warning for snow issued in the area, its gritters have already been out twice overnight - once at 20:00 GMT and again at 03:00 - to ensure traffic can keep moving.
The next gritting will start at 08:00 GMT in time for the rush-hour traffic.
Gritters spread salt, which lowers the freezing temperature of water and prevents ice or frost from forming on the road when temperatures drop.
Station worker Simon Thain told our colleagues on BBC Breakfast that every time the gritters are sent out they use an average of 308 tonnes of salt overall.
"It will last generally 12 hours, but obviously with the snow it will get washed away we have to go out and retreat," he explains.
Matt Taylor
BBC Weather
Image source, .If you are about to throw open the curtains and are wondering “will it be snowing outside”, the answer for the vast majority right now is an emphatic no.
As you can see from our rain-snow radar chart, most of what is falling from the sky is rain right now.
However, that will change. Weather fronts are now edging into colder air and snow is already starting to fall for some in north Wales, the Midlands and northern England.
As they edge more into the colder air, snowfall will become more of an issue through the morning.
The biggest impacts are still likely to be on the hills, in areas covered by Met Office amber warnings, but snow will start to mix in with the rain from the north Midlands northwards.
Image source, Getty ImagesMany drivers will be waking up to frozen landscapes - and the need to de-ice their cars.
But they are warned not to use boiling water to de-ice windscreens - hot water can crack the glass and the water will only freeze again on the screen or on the ground.
Instead, the AA recommends turning on the car engine - ensuring the wipers are off to avoid damage - and directing warm air to the windscreen.
You should also turn on your rear windscreen heater, and use air-con if you have it to ensure your windows don't fog up.
The next step is to clear any snow with a soft brush, before using a scraper and liquid de-icer.
Many schools in north Wales - where there is an amber snow and ice weather warning set to come into force at 08:00 GMT - are preparing to shut their doors ahead of heavy snow expected to hit this morning.
Every school in Flintshire will shut , externaland another six schools in Gwynedd - see the full list here, external - will also close.
In Wrexham, Rhosnesni High School is so far the only school that has been closed.
Other schools in the north Wales area are due to make a decision this morning.
Forecasters have warned that disruption to travel by road and rail is likely with “persistent and at times heavy” snow expected to develop in some areas this morning before easing later in the day.
The Met Office has warned that it is "safer not to drive in these conditions", but if people need to make an essential journey they should consider alternative forms of transport.
As a reminder, we’ve got a handy guide here on what to take with you if you need to drive in severe weather, in case you become stranded.
Image source, .We’ve already mentioned the amber and yellow weather warnings in place across much of the UK today. But there’s also a separate set of weather alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency that are worth paying attention to.
There are four alert levels - ranging from green to yellow, amber and red- and yellow means the weather is likely to affect or pose a risk to those who are particularly vulnerable, for example the elderly, or those with existing health conditions,
Yellow cold-health alerts have been issued for five regions of England.
You can read more here.
And here’s a bit more on the areas covered by the weather warnings:
Less than a week ago much of the UK was experiencing an unseasonably mild start to February. But this morning, the colder wintry weather is returning for many of us, with persistent and potentially heavy snow forecast in some areas.
Two amber snow and ice warnings will come into force from 8am across north Wales and north-west Shropshire, and from midday across the Peak District and south Pennines, with between 10-15cm (4-6in) forecast and potentially even more on higher ground.
There are also yellow warnings for snow and ice across a number of other areas in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Travel disruption is expected, power cuts are possible, and forecasters have warned there’s the possibility of some rural areas being temporarily cut off.
Stay with us for the latest updates.